Vista set to celebrate first homecoming

Bring out the floats, royalty and pep band – it’s time for a homecoming parade.
Thursday the popular parade will be celebrated for the first time at Vista Del Lago High School, and students are preparing for a long lasting tradition.
Vista Del Lago High School sophomore Arjana Sanfilippo, 15, is the sophomore coordinator for float building.
“We are having a lot of fun and we won last year as the freshman class, so we are trying to win again this year,” Sanfilippo said. “We want to win in our class every year.”
She said starting the annual homecoming parade at the new high school allows students and teachers to keep up with traditions regularly celebrated in other regional high schools.
“This gives meaning to our school,” Sanfilippo said. “We are trying to start up our own traditions to be able to have school unity. To establish this tradition is really nice. Vista is here too, and we are just as established.”
Heidi Schultz, of Folsom, has been the activities director at Vista for two years and a science teacher for three years.
“Last year we have our first graduating class and this year is our first four-year class and homecoming is a way to celebrate that,” Schultz said. “We will have our royal court, campus clubs and floats (participating). This is the big unveiling of the class floats.”
She said the evening will end with a night rally that all parents, students and school staff are invited to attend.
“We are hoping it will get bigger every year, and maybe turn into a carnival in the future,” Schultz said.
Schultz said it is exciting being a part of the newly developed school because every new tradition helps contribute to the school’s culture.
“One of the fun things about being a part of Vista is we are a new school and have the ability to create our own traditions each year,” she said.
The parade will begin at 7 p.m. at Empire Oaks Elementary, follow Golf Links Drive and turn left on Broadstone Parkway to the student parking lot at Vista Del Lago High School.
“We are hoping that the community will come out to hoot and holler for the Vista Eagles,” Schultz said. “We have such support from our parents, Vista has some unbelievably supportive parents.”
KNOW AND GO
What: Vista Del Lago High School's first annual Homecoming Parade
When: 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 23
Where: Begins at Empire Oaks Elementary, follows Golf Links Drive, left on Broadstone Parkway to the student parking lot at Vista Del Lago High School